Below is the story of Kristen Distributing Company as told by Kristen's President Mark Kristen at the 2011 Hispanic Forum during his acceptance for the prestigious Amigo Award:

Kristen Distributing Company's Vision and Mission:

• It is the vision of Kristen Distributing Company to sell the finest beverages conforming to a pattern of excellence as outlined by the manufacturer’s marketing concepts.

• The mission of Kristen Distributing Company is to promote an environment rich in personal independence, opportunities, and development that benefit the strengths and dignity of the employees and customers of Kristen Distributing Company.

Kristen Distributing Company's Achievements:

• Consolidated 16 distributorships to date.
• Pioneered the combined house strategy when KDC acquired Coors Brewing Company distribution rights (1994)
• Consulted with Miller Brewing Company to aid in the development of Ag’s Bock in 1999
• Reached 1,000,000 cases in 2000
• Exceeded 2,000,000 cases in 2009
• Developed national “Truck Back” program which was later incorporated by SABMiller
• Awarded the Coors President’s Award in 2001 and 2002
• Awarded the Coors Brewing Company Founder’s Award in 2002
• Instrumental in development of the syndicated “Live From Northgate” radio show in 2002
• Provided marketing expertise to help Chilifest reach 45,000 attendees
• Orchestrate introduction of the first commemorative beer cans in the region in honor of 2002 Chilifest
• Pioneered the $0.99 promotional CD for the malt beverage industry
• Executed the first NortenÞo edition of 50,000 promotional CDs in the industry
• Rendered marketing expertise in the successful Madison County wet/dry election
• First commercial malt beverage supplier to Reed Arena in 2004
• Celebrated 80 years of operations in 2010
• Mark Kristen was given The Jeremiah Milbank Society award for his contributions to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley in 2009
• Kristen Distributing recognized for its contributions to the Hispanic community at the 2008 and 2009 Hispanic Forum
• Assisted in the establishment of the Maroon Prior Service Association to raise funds for student veterans in the Brazos Valley
• Ranked in the top 200 donors to The 12th Man Foundation

 

Acquisition History and Distribution Territory:

 

	1930	Purchased Dr. Pepper, Nesbit Orange, 7-up and Frosty Root Beer bottling and distribution rights from Leo Hendrickson.
	1935	Repeal of Prohibition.
	1937 1965	KDC obtains distribution rights for Grand Prize Beer in Austin and Waller counties. KDC begins distribution of Miller Brewing Company products.
	1979	Mark Kristen comes aboard as the 3rd generation of Kristen Management.
	1994	Coors and Modelo Brewing Company rights are purchased from Aspromonte.  KDC becomes the first Miller Brewing Company Texas Distributor to hold distribution rights to both Miller and Coors products.
	1995	Pearl Beer rights purchased from Pearl Beer Distributor.
	1996	KDC expands territory and brand portfolio when they acquire Coors Brewing Company rights in Grimes County from M&S Distributing.
	1998	Expansion continues- KDC purchases Brazos Beverage. Brazos, Madison and Grimes counties are acquired. The new territory has rights to brands from the following suppliers: Barton, Boston, Coors, Dos Equis, Guinness, Heineken, Miller, Molson, Pete’s, and Seagrams. Distribution is increased to 1.1 million cases annually.
	2000	CR Goodman, Lone Star and Tidwell Distributing Companies are acquired adding Burleson, Robertson, and Washington Counties to KDC’s territory. This purchase increases KDC’s territorial footprint and expanded the portfolio in existing territories. The following Suppliers are added to the portfolio: Abita, Anchor, Arizona, Becks, Belukus, Boulder, Breckenridge, California Cider, Fischer, Highland Falls, Labatt, Mendocino, Modelo, Old Milwaukee, Pabst, Paulnew, Pearl, Portland, Saint Killian, Schaffer, Schlitz, Scottish Newcastle, Spaten, Spoetzl and Thames.
	2001	Rights to Colt 45 and Lone Star in Leon County are acquired from Lone Star Distributors.
	2002	Coors and Seagrams Brewing Company rights in Robertson County are acquired from Gidden Distributing.
	2003	KDC expands the categories of beverages it distributes by acquiring rights to Nestle Waters in Austin, Brazos, Leon, Robertson, and Waller Counties.
	2004	Continuing Non-Alcoholic Beverage expansion- KDC obtains rights to Red Bull for the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Grimes, Lee, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller, and Washington.   Miller and Heineken rights in Robertson County are purchased from Glaziers and Dudley Haas respectively.   Madison County goes “wet”- distribution rights for the following suppliers are acquired: Abita, Barton, Becks, Boston, California Cider, Coors, Diageo-Guinness, Green King, Heineken, Highland Falls, Margarita Ice, Mark Anthony, Miller, Modelo, Molson, Pete’s, Portland, Spoetzl and United States Beverage.
	2005	Red Bull rights are acquired in the following counties: Bell, Colorado, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Lampassas, Lee, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Mills, San Saba, and Walker.
	2007	New Belgium Brewing Company distribution rights are purchased from Glazier for all counties in which KDC distributes beer.   KDC acquires distribution rights to Nestle Waters in Madison County.   KDC expands beverage categories further when it obtains distribution rights to Jaguar Vodka, Trago Tequila, and Solemar wines.
	2008	Distribution rights to Joose are acquired in Austin, Brazos, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker and Waller counties.   Category expansion continues as KDC purchases rights to Lean Body meal replacement Ready-to-Drink shakes in all 23 counties they service.   Acquired Boulevard Beers, Welch’s Juices, and Sweet Leaf Teas in all counties.   Purchased rights to Coors, High Falls, Sam Adams, Crown, US Beverages, and Sam Adams in Leon County.
	2009	Acquired rights to Nesquik and Juicy Juice in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Waller.   Purchased West Harris County Crown Imports rights from Silver Eagle and Royal Hill Distributors.   Purchased Miller Franchise rights in Eastern Madison County from Faust and Holloman.
	2010	Developed company uniform program with Graphic Designer Jerry Olsen.   Acquired rights to EAS in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Grimes, Lee, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller, Washington, Houston, Freestone, Hamilton, Limestone, Milam, Mills, and San Saba.   Acquired rights to Sunny D in the following counties: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, and Madison.   Acquired rights to Sweet Leaf Teas in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Lee, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Waller, Washington, Falls, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, and Mills.
	2011	Acquired rights to Katalyst Brands in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Grimes, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller, Washington, Houston, Bell, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Lampassas, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Mills, and San Saba.   Acquired rights to Jones Sodas in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller, and Washington.   Acquired rights to LunaRitas in Brazos County.   Acquired rights to Rheingold in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Robertson, Waller, and Washington.   Acquired rights to Upstate Farms in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Grimes, Lee, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller, Washington, Houston, Bell, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Lampassas, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, Mills, and San Saba.   Acquired rights to Voss Still Water in the following counties: Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Grimes, Lee, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller, Washington, and Houston.